Windows 10: MICROSOFT DEFENDER WONT ACTIVATE.....VIRUS & THREAT PROTECTION SERVICE WON"T START

Microsoft Defender has been attacked again, regardless of the presence of Tamper Protection.


The following symptom has occurred twice recently, and more of the same, will surely follow.


If you find that you cannot activate Defender, and the Virus & Threat Protection Service will not

start, you may be the victim of this latest threat. It demonstrates itself as follows.






This is apparently caused by some entity, probably malware, that somehow defeats the

protection of Tamper Protection!


Somehow the Defender Registry Key is being modified, so that Defender cannot see,

whether or not its Services are running. These Services are required.

1. Security Center Running and set for Automatic delayed start. WSCSVC

2. Windows Security Service Running and set for Manual start. SecurityHealthService

3. Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service Running and set for Automatic start. WinDefend


A modification is being made to this Registry Key.

Hkey_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows Defender. The sub key

IsServiceRunning is being deleted.



Repair Upgrade may be the only solution for this problem.


If you have access to another PC of similar configuration, you might try "Exporting" this Key to a USB.

Transfer the .reg file to your desktop. Put your PC into Safe Mode, and double-click the .reg file, to

merge it into your Registry. Observe both Registry keys before you start. Ensure that the only difference

between them is the missing "IsServiceRunning" sub key. I have not done this


Good luck, Glen

:)

 

Virus and threat protection not working

Hi there, I recently reinstalled my windows and the Virus and threat protection is down! I have found that I am missing the 'Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection Service ' and 'Windows Defender Security Center Service' files
from my services list, I have looked into this and can find no solution to fixing this issue, if anyone can help it would be much appreciated!!

 

Window Defender's virus & threat protection service has stopped

There seems to have been a hiccup in the Patch Tuesday updates that might need to be resolved with some unconventional methods of restarting the Threat Service (Windows Defender Antivirus Service):



Windows Defender - Virus & Threat Protection - Restart Now

 

Cannot turn on Windows Defender virus protection

I had the same sort of symptoms. In the Windows Security Center, under Virus and threat protection, it said "Your virus & threat protection is managed by your organization."





I note you mentioned the Registry Keys under HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows Defender. Nice spotting, but it seems like there is another key that is causing the problem for some users.

Steps to a solution:

1. Press the Windows key and type "regedit"
   
2. On the regedit icon that appears, right-click and select Run as Administrator.
   
3. Navigate to the folder located at HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender (You can paste this into the address box at the top of the window, or navigate manually using the side directory structure)
   
4. In this folder, there are probably two keys. Right-click and Delete the DisableAntiSpyware key.
   
5. Exit regedit, and return to the Windows Defender settings screen (refresh it if necessary). Windows Defender should have the scan options available and working.
   

Solution adapted from here, with a much more detailed solution here.